Locking device for pedestal-tables.



No. 675,577. Patented lune 4. |90I. E. TYDEN.

LOCKING DEVICE FUR PEDESTAL TABLES.

(Application filed Dec. 29, 1900.)

(No Modal.)

Frm ammazza per @rares PATENT OFFICE.

`EMIL TYDEN, OF IIAS'IINGS, MICHIGAN.

iMCKlNG Ei/lClE FOR PEDESTALTABLES.

Applicaticn lcd December 29, 1900. Serial No. 41,444. (No model.)

To LZZ w'tort it may concern:

Be it known that l, EMIL TYDEN, a citizen of the United States, residing at Hastings, in the county of Barry and State of Michigan, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in LockingDevices for Pedestal-Tables, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

The purpose ot' this invention is to provide means for overcoming a diflculty hitherto experienced in the use of what are known as pedestal extension-tablesthat is, tables which when closed up without the extensionleaves have a support consisting of a central pedestal with spreading feet at the base, the pedestal being vertically divided,and one part pertaining to each of the two parts of the table-top and having rigid with it two of the feet. In such construction the center leg, which is attached to the cross-bar connecting the opposite slides pertaining to the extension devices, is inclosed within the two parts of the pedestal when the table is closed up, said pedestal parts boing made hollow for the purpose. The difficulty above referred to consists in the Fact that this leg always being made a trifle short in order that it may not drag unduly when the table is being extended (the slight sag at the center of the table when extended, which is due to this shortness, being a negligible defect) the pedestal is without support at its center, and the tendency of the weight resting upon the wide-spread feet is to spread apart the pedestal toward the bottom even though the parts of the table-top are close together, and this dilliculty and defect increases with use and destroys the neat and finished appearance ofthe table. Devices of a simple sort for locking the two parts of the pedestal together when they are closed up, if applied exteriorly, mar the effect and interfere with the design of the pedestal, and, besides, they are inconvenient of operation, because one must get down on the iioor to be able to latch and unlatch them, and in practice their use, even if they are att-ached, is neglected.

My present invention consists of means for locking the two parts of the pedestal together in such manner as to close them up from top to bottom, said means being adapted not only to secure them together, but to draw them tightly together in the process of securing -them, the means for operating the device being located conveniently near the margin of the tabletop, so that it may be operated both to lock and unlock the parts by one standing at the end of the table.

In the drawings, Figure l is a side elevation of an extension-table containing my invention, the table-top and pedestal being broken away and shown in vertical section, disclosing the interior parts of the 1nechanism. Fig. 2 is a detail side elevation of a portion of the pedestal and part of the table-top similarly broken away and shown in vertical plane, presenting the operating parts of my locking device in the position occupied prior to their engagement as the parts of the table are being closed together'. Fig. 3 is a view similar to Fig. 2, but showing the locking devices in the position occupied after they have been released, but before the parts have been separated sufficiently to entirely disengage them. Fig. 4 is a view similar to Figs. 2 and 3, but showing the parts of the locking device as fully disengaged by the separation of the two parts of the table a short distance.

In the drawings, A A are the two parts of a table-top; A A2, the two parts of the pedestal pertaining to said table-top parts, respectively.

As A3 are the spread feet at the base of the pedestal.

B is the center leg inclosed within estal when the table is closed up.

The pedestal is of the box form, adapted to encompass and inclose the center leg, except as to the lower protruding portion thereof, which rests upon the floor. Mechanism for locking the two parts of the pedestal, and thereby the two parts of the table, securely together and for unlocking them comprises, primarily, two catches C and D, one mounted upon each part of the pedestal within the same. The catch C is rigid with the lever C', fulcrumed at a' toward the lower part ot' the pedestal part A', said lever eX- tending up within said pedestal part and protruding into the space inclosed under the table-top by the marginal curtains or panels ac, its upper end being connected by a link C2 to the operating-lever C3, which is fulcrumed at the ped- IOO c3 on the under side of the table-top, near the margin, just within the curtain or panel a at one end of the table. The pivotal connection of the link C2 to the operating-lever is such that while the lever swings from the position shown in Fig. 4 to the position shown in Fig. l said pivotal connection of the link is carried past and to the farther side of the fulcrum of the lever' C3 and past the line containing said fulcrum and the opposite pivotal connection ot' the lever C'. At this position, as shown in Fig. 1, the movement of the lever is stopped against the flange of the hanger c3, by which it is connected to the table-top. A spring C4, reacting between the lever C and a bracket c4, which is mounted on 'the upper end of the pedestal on the nnder side of the table-top, tends to hold the lever C away from the operatingdever C3, and thus tends to hold the lever C3 in the position shown in Fig. 1 when it has once been rocked to that position-that is, with the connection of the link to said lever C3 slightly above the line produced containing the fulcrnm of the lever C3 and the connection of the link to the lever C'. The other catch D is pivoted to the bracket d, attached to the pedestal part A2, and extends horizontally from its pivotal connection with its catch-nose projecting downward in position to become engaged with the catch-nose of the catch C, which projects upward. The catch D has a projection or tail D projecting downward from the pivot and stopped by a pin d on the bracket d, preventing the catch from swinging down to a position where it cannot engage the catch C when the latter is brought into proper position.

From the description thus far given of the structure it will be understood that as the two parts of the table are being closed together and when the pedestal parts are nearly together, the operator having first thrown the operating-lever C3 around to position permitting the catch D to take the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, the nose of the catch C engaging under the nose of the catch D as the two parts of the pedestal are caused to adproachwill lift the latter catch, which will shortly after fall into engagement with the catch C. This will occur, as the parts are designed to be constructed, before the two parts of the pedestal and table are brought fully together; but such engagement having occurred the operator may swing the operating-lever C3 from the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4 around to the position in Fig. l, thereby drawing the lever C' back toward the end of the table at which the operator stands and by reason of engagement of the catches drawing the two parts of the pedestal and table closely and firmly together. The encounter or abutment of the two parts will occur first at the upper edge of the table-top, because the weight of the parts tends to let the table s ag at the middle and spread the pedestal at the lower end, and as the operating-lever is moved around the two parts fulcruming on each other at the upper end, where they are in contact, will be drawn closely together at the lower end by reason of the fact that the catches are located so far below the upper end as to afford good leverage for their action. When it is desired to extend the table, the operator, swinging the operating-lever C3 back to the position shown in Figs. 2, 3, and 4, will cause the catch C to recede somewhat from its engagement with the catch D; but the two catches will not be disengaged by this movement, and, on the contrary, the separation of the two parts of the table and pedestal would bring the catchnoses again into close engagement. In order, therefore, to make it possible to proceed and disengage the catches when the parts of the table are to be separated, I provide a tripfinger E, fulcrumed on the bracket a2, mounted a little below the position of the catch C upon the inner side of the pedestal part A'. rlhis trip-finger projects horizontally and is kept normally in such position by having its inner end weighted, as shown at E, tending to cause said inner end to descend and the outer end having the nose to rise, a pin e/ being provided projecting through an aperture d20 in the bracket 4a2 and having only suflicient play in that aperture toallow a proper movement of the catclrtinger, as hereinafter' described. tends in proper position to encounter the projection or tail D ofthe catch D and be forced downward by such encounter, so that the catch-nose will rise beyond the end of the projection and be engaged by the same a little after the catches C and D have become engaged by the approach of the two parts of the table and pedestal in closing up the table, the position ot the parts after this has occurred being shown in Fig. 3, wherein it will be seen that the facing shoulders of the catch-noses of the catches C and D are a little separated, showing that the two parts of the pedestal have been moved a little nearer together since the catches C and D became engaged. The same igure repre sents the position of the parts after the operator desiring to extend the table has released the operating-lever C3, permitting the lever C' to yield to the action of the spring Cl and permitting the table and pedestal parts to become slightly separated,as they are liable to do when not held firmly together, for the reason above expressed. Now if the operator draws the table parts apart the catch-nose of the trip-catch E, being engaged with the projection or tail D ot' the catch D, will swing said catch up far enough to take its nose out of the path of the nose of the catch C before the shoulders of said noses come into engagement, and as the separation of the table parts proceeds the position of said catches and trip will be that seen in Fig. 4, from which it will be apparent that nothing in the structure of the catches prevents the full separation and extension of the table.

The nose of the catch-finger ex- ICO IIO

It will be noticed that in order to provide the locking devices and have them serve the purpose indicated it is necessary to have them located at a considerable distance below the top of the table, so as to afford the necessary leverage for forcing the pedestal together at the bottom after the table-top parts have come together at the top. ,Also it will be seen that it is necessary practically that the two elements of the locking device, consisting of the catches C and D, should extend through the center leg, which leg is therefore necessarily apertured for this purpose, as shown at B' in all the iigures.

I do not limit myself to the specific mechanism here shown, though for its special advantages it is claimed specifically, but any locking elements adapted to be engaged to lock the parts of the table together when located within the pedestal and provided with means for operating such locking devices to lock and unlock them and also any devices so located and having operating connections accessible near the margin of the table-top and also any locking devices which penetrate the center leg are considered within the scope of my invention.

I claiml. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal and the two separable parts of the table-top attached to the respective parts of the pedestal, means for binding the pedestal parts together, comprising an element on each part at a substantial distance below the top of the pedestal, and means whereby they are adapted to be connected when the pedestal parts approach; means for operating on said elements after they are connected to cause them to bind the pedestal parts together, extending from said elements upward and thence under the table-top toward the margin thereof.

In a pedestal eXtension-table,in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the parts ofthe pedestal respectively; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal, said elements being adapted to become engaged before the pedestal parts are fully closed together; one of said locking elements being movable on the part of the pedestal to which it pertains, and operating connections by which it may be moved in direction to draw the parts of the pedestal together.

In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal; a lever connected to one of said elements, and adapted to be operated to draw the parts of the divided pedestal together.

et. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts ofthe table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal, said elements being adapted to become engaged before the pedestal parts are fully closed together; operating connections from one of said elements, adapted to move it to draw the parts of the pedestal together after their said parts are engaged; and means for locking the element thus moved at the position at which the pedestal parts are closed together.

5. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination witha vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal, said elements being adapted to come into engagement automatically as the parts of the pedestal approach and before they are fully closed together; and means for moving one of said elements on the part of the pedestal to which it pertains after the two elements are engaged to draw said pedestal parts together; and means for locking the locking element thus moved at the position at which the pedestal parts are thus closed together.

6. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal; said elements being adapted to be engaged while the pedestal parts are yet slightly separated; means for moving one of the elements on the pedestal part to which it pertains to draw the pedestal parts close together; and means for moving the other element to disengage it from the iirst at will.

7. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts ol' the table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal; said elements being adapted to be engaged while the pedestal parts are slightly separated; means for moving one of said elements ou the pedestal part to which it pertains to draw the pedestal parts together; and a device en the same pedestal part, adapted automatically to engage the elementof the other pedestal part as said ped- IOO IIO

estal parts approach after said locking elements are engaged and before the pedestal parts are closed together, and to move said element out of engagement with the other element when the pedestal parts are separated.

8. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device :for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutuallyengaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal; said elements beingadapted to become engaged as the parts of the pedestal approach and before they are fully closed together; a latch on one of the pedestal parts adapted to additionally engage the locking element of the other pedestal part after the locking elements are thus engaged and before the pedestal parts are closed together, and to move said engaged element out of engagement with the other locking element when the pedestal parts are moved apart after said additional engagement.

9. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts ofthe table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; an automatic catch on one pedestal part, and a cooperating catch on the other part, and a tripfinger on said other part which automatically engages the automatic catch during the approach of the pedestal parts and after said catches are engaged, and disenga'ges the catches when the pedestal parts are moved apart. t

10. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the parts respectively of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising cooperating elements, one on each part of the pedestal; said elements being adapted to allow limited separating movement of the parts of the pedestal; and means on one of the pedestal parts for actuating the locking element on the other part to disengage it from its cooperating element during and by means of such limited separating movement.

l1. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the

two separable parts of the table-top rigidwith the parts respectively of the pedestal, a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together,comprising two catches, C and D, mounted on the pedestal parts respectively, and adapted to become mutually engaged as the parts approach and before they are closed together; a lever, C', actuating the catch C, and arranged to move it toward and from the opposite pedestal parts, the catch D being movable to effect its engagement and disengagement, the former being automatic and the catch having a projection D; the trip-catch E normally projecting in position to pass and become engaged with the projection D' as the pedestal parts approach, after the catches C and D are engaged and before the pedestal parts are fully closed together.

12. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid respectively with the parts of the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising an automatic catch on one pedestal part, and a cooperating catch on the other part,such catches being adapted to engage as the pedestal parts approach and before they are fully closed, a lever, fulcru'ined on one of the pedestal parts, the catch pertaining to said part being mounted on such lever, and connections for operating such lever from a point near the tablemargin.

13. In a pedestal extension-table, a verticallydivided pedestal, the two separable parts of the table-top rigid with the separable parts o'f the pedestal; a locking device for connecting the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising two mutually-engaging elements, one on each part of the divided pedestal, said elements being adapted to become engaged before the pedestal parts are fully closed together;' a lever to which one of said locking elements is connected, fulcrumed on the part of the pedestal to which it pertains; an operating-lever fulcrumed under the table-top near the margin thereof, and a link connecting said levers; the operatinglever being adapted to be rocked over its fulcrum to carry the pivotal connection of the link thereto past the line containing said fulcrum and the other pivotal connection of the links, and suitable means for stopping the lever after the pivotal connection of the link thereto passes such line; whereby the levers are locked in that position.

I4. In a pedestal extension-table, in combination with a vertically-divided pedestal and the two separable parts of the table-top attached to the respective parts of the pedestal, means for securing the two parts of the pedestal together, comprising elements on the respective parts of the pedestal at a substantial distance below the upper end of the pedestal adapted to be connected, and connections for operating on said elements to close up the pedestal parts, such connections eX- tending upwardly from the points ot' operation on the elements and thence under the table toward the edge thereof.

15. In a pedestal eXtensiontable,means for uniting the two separable parts, comprising two cooperating elements, one on each part of the pedestal, at a substantial distance below the upper end thereof, adapted to be connected when the pedestal parts approach; and means on one of said parts for moving the element on that part after they are connected, to draw and bind the pedestal parts tightly together.

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16. In a pedestal extensioirtable, a hollow pedestal comprising two separable parts, one on each of the separable parts of the table; means for uniting the two separable parts, comprising two cooperating elements, one mounted on each part Oi' the hollow pedestal within the cavity thereof, at a substantial distance below the upper end of the pedestal, adapted to be connected when the pedestal parts approach; means mounted on one of said pedestal parts within the cavity thereof for moving the element on that part after the elements are connected, to draw and bind the pedestal parts tightly together, extending up within the cavity of the pedestal and thence under the table-top horizontally toward the margin of the table.

17. In a pedestal extension-table, a hollow pedestal comprising two parts rigid respectively with the two separable parts of the table, and a tth, Or center, leginclosed within such hollow pedestal parts when the latter are closed together; means for uniting the two parts, comprising two cooperating elements mounted one on cach part of the pedestal within the cavity thereof adapted to be connected when the pedestal parts approach; the iifth Or centei1 leg being apertured, and one of said cooperating elements extending' through the aperture when said elements are connected; and means mounted on one of said pedestal parts, within the cavity thereof, for moving the element on that part after said elements are connected, to draw and bind the pedestal parts tightly together.

In testimony whereof I have hereunto set my hand at Hastings, Michigan, in the presence Of two witnesses7 this 24th day of December, 1900.

EMIL TYDEN.

In presence of- A. C. BROWN, NORA COOPER. 

